The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-01-14
An ENGLISH EXPERT
RIBICULES THE PARSIM0NY OF
THE UNITED STATES
In Not Making Larger Appropria-
items for Modern Defensive
Works and Guns.

NKv YoRk, January ia London,
England, special to the Tribune says:
"I,he Times OF Monday published an
article on the reports OF the United
States Board Of Fertilization, in which,
while commencing the thorouRhness
OF the investigations, the writer disap-
proves the recommendations OF the
Board on the ground OF the cost OF the
proposed notifications. Over G27,-
0OO,OO0 is out OF all proportion 70 the
defensive requirements OF the United
States" SAYS the writer. "F0r one
fifth OF the sum England could raise
her COST defensss the world over to O
standard Of efficiency which would
probably satisfy the most exscting
theorists"
Your correspondent showed the ar
ticle to Sir Andrew Clarke, formerly
INSPECTOR General OF Fort fic ations,
and one OF the highest authorities ON
coast deienses in England. 81 en-.
tirely agree with the writer, whom i
think recognise" said Sir Andrew.
"Such costly Notifications belong to
the cd school. would do away with
them alt ,gelher. 1t is an open secret
that Italy regrets having expended 3D.
much money on Notifications. Ger
many is simply waiting to lee what
England does"
"But would not the proposed foIti..
fications render the ports 30 defended
practically sscure against any attack by
sea ?" asked tbs correspondent.
"Probably; but by different system
they coula bs defended much more
efficiently and at infinitely less ex-
pense. My pan does away with all
Notifications. Instead Of alleged in
vulnerability my principle 10 invisi-
bility OF defensfB When you erect
enormous Notifications, you offer
target for the enemy's shot. Let your
turre.s and cupola be never 80 thick
heavy shot is likely to play the mis-
chief with their mechanism, With
your distinguished countryman, Lieut..
Maxim, have worked out what call
disappearing gun system which can
be applied to the heaviest guns made.
This renders Notifications unnecessary.
The gun occupies hole In the ground.
When in action IL ia released by sort
OF hydraulic elevator, and after firing
sinks into the pit again to be reloaded.
Thus 1t is exposed for only few Sec
onds. When in the pit IL cen only be
hit by a vertical or plungiDg fire, and
the likelihood Of such shots striking
their mark is infinitely small, Covered
ways shelter the men who lead the
gun, so that the enemy has practically
nothing to aim at. A gun operated in
this fashion commands a much wider
area that when mounted In fort. BY
means OF electricity the gun can be
raised, lowered, trained and discharged
by one man in position Of safety a
hundred yards, or even q mile, away.
This has been actually accompi: he'd.
We ara at work on plan whereby
machinery for loading the gun can
also be operated by electricity. II
this is successful the gun can be
wholly worked from safe distance.
When you can dispense with iortifica-
tons you have more money for heavy
guns, submarine mines and torped pes.
Heretofore / have vehemently urged
the colony of Victoria, Australia, TO
build no more forts. believe such
costly deienses will soon bs regarded
rs obsolete in defensive warfare. The
United states derives great advantages
from her distance from Europe be-
cause the difficulty OF using first. class
iron.cads 30 far from their basis ia
very great.